There is one word that makes us internalize a situation that we may be going through. This word is like a microscope, searching deep within our own selves. Or it is like looking for a lost diamond in a dark cave with just a small flash light! I mean, you keep looking, and looking in every corner and crack until you finally find it.
This word looks for an answer or a closure. This word dissects a situation that we are in, and has the capability to either lift us up or pull us down. When it lifts us up it brings us so much encouragement and joy. Perhaps great thinkers and scientists had used this word and asked the right questions. They came up with answers like the light bulb, the locomotive, or penicillin that saved many lives. Others came up with great ideas like the the car or the airplane. Many other great inventions became so useful to mankind.
But this word, when it pulls us down, it can take us into a deep pit from where we may not be able to get up without help. This word could choke you, and you may feel like it's really killing you. There could be a tightness in your chest and you may feel like that it's hard to breathe! This word is good when we want to analyze a situation that could bring a positive out-look. But many have committed suicide because of this same word. Perhaps the following questions may be similar to some of the situations that you may be facing. And in these questions you will find the word what I am talking about.
Why didn't I do what I was supposed to do. Why did I speak the way I spoke and get into so much trouble? Why am I alone? Why is my pain not going away? Why did I not get up early to catch the bus to go to work? Why am I getting short changed in life? Why am I in a situation where others are using me to prosper, while I am in the same position for several years? Why did my parents have to go away from my life so soon? Why am I not healed in spite of my faith in God? Why did not the Lord protect my children from this awful accident? Why are not my loved ones here with me anymore? Is there a God? If there is a God why does he let awful things happen to me? Why did my Mom or Dad disown me and leave me in a foster home? Why is there so much of immorality and corruption around us? Why was I betrayed by the same people whom I loved and trusted? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why are there so many unanswered questions in my life? Why? Why? Why?.....
We may not get answers to all the questions in life! And even if get an answer we may not have expected the answer we got! It would perhaps have been much better if we had just "let it go" There is so much pain and sorrow all around us. Sometimes it is better not to ask "why?" but simply trust in God.
King David says, that tears has been his "food" day and night. He has been looked down upon because of his faith in God, as people had said, "now where is your God?" He had no answer for the problems that he faced, and he felt depressed and asks, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? The way I look at it, there is a glimmer of hope in this question. He was not totally desperate for an answer. That's because he has had experiences in his life that had pulled him out of many, many difficult situations. These experiences had to do with his relationship with the Creator.
In the next sentence he says "Put your hope in God" and goes on to say "for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Can you see the way he finds refuge and comfort in his dire situation? One, is that his hope is in God. Secondly, he chooses to praise the Lord! There is strength and hope in these choices that David makes. Habakkuk the prophet writes,"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments."
This goes against every reason. How can you sing in turbulent moments! The gas price is up, there are reports of doom and gloom in the economic front world-wide, and there is very little that we can do for ourselves.
But as sure as it ever can be, God is our hope. Let us not go to Him as a last resort, but let us go to Him first and trust in Him for every thing. Once again I would like to emphasize that we can go to God only because we have a relationship with Him.
Personally, in many of the situations that I face, I go again and again to the one who loves me and cares for me. It is here and only here that I find peace and comfort. Many times I am not looking for an answer but looking for comfort and security deep within.
I'm sure you will understand that sometimes no one, can give you an answer, and that, the more we ask "Why?" the more we find ourselves at sea. Somebody said, "What can you do with the wind?" The only thing is to let the wind blow. Try and use this force to get you ashore, or if you cannot do it just "ride the wind" If you are a believer the "Storm killer" is within us. He said. "I will never leave you nor forsake you" The storms on the outside can rage, but let the storms within be calmed! Calmed by the words that come out our lips! That's the key!
Then the people around you will be surprised that you are not asking "why" but just trusting the one who will calm the storm! Believe me they would be wanting to associate themselves with you. That's because they can sense your inner strength. Being calm in the storm, is maturity! Praising Him in the storm gives you strength and hope! There is a song in the storm! The Song that quells the swelling sea! You may not actually "sing" this song for others to hear, but others will hear the "silent song" and "sing along" with you. They will agree with you and be with you, because they know that the "storm killer" is within you. It is a pleasure to be with such people.
You will find what I am saying is true. But it's up to you.
You could go on asking "why" until the cows come home! You will never get an answer. Or you can put your trust in the Lord and sing songs of praise!
What's your choice?
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